上手
jōzu[d͡ʑo̞ːzɨ]
The English word "skilled" is translated into Japanese as 上手 (jōzu).
上手 is used to describe someone who is skilled or good at something. While it translates to "skilled", it is most commonly used as a way to praise someone else's ability rather than describing one's own professional proficiency.
Meaning: having or showing skill (adj)
Which one should you use?
The antonym of 上手 is 下手, which literally means "lower part" or "down skill".
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 上手 in a polite sentence, you add です after it, forming 上手です. When you want to use 上手 to modify a noun directly, you must add な between the word and the noun, such as 上手な人 (a skilled person).
How do you pronounce it?
jōzu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 上手 to describe themselves, but in Japanese, using it for oneself can sound boastful or unnatural.
Did you know?
- In traditional Japanese theatre, the term kamite (written with the same characters as 'skilled') actually refers to the 'stage right' position, which is considered the superior or more prestigious side of the stage.
- The word 上手 is a compound of the characters for 'upper' and 'hand', a concept borrowed from Middle Chinese to represent 'having the upper hand' or gaining mastery.
- The pronunciation of 上手 can change depending on how you read it, shifting from 'jōzu' to 'kamite' while using the exact same kanji characters.
Examples in context
- 楽器は練習すればするほど上手になるよ。When it comes to musical instruments, the more you practice, the more skilled you become.This sentence shows how practice leads to becoming more 上手.Tatoeba #3156108 by tommy_san, translation #3156596 by gustonrankin
- トムさんは上手ですね？Tom is skilled, isn't he?This sentence uses 上手 to praise Tom's ability.Tatoeba #13261854 by RaindeLion, translation #3730430 by CM
- 私は上手じゃありません。I'm not very skilled.This sentence shows a negative statement using the form 上手.Tatoeba #1182047 by FiRez, translation #13798642 by rul
- 彼は料理の匠として有名です。He is famous as a cooking expert.
- 彼はギターが上手です。He is skilled at playing the guitar.
- 彼は絶えず努力し、上手になっていく。He keeps making efforts and becoming more skilled.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are playing a board game together.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは、このゲームが本当に上手ですね。Ren-san wa, kono gēmu ga hontō ni jōzu desu ne.Ren, you are really skilled at this game.
- 蓮 Renそんなことないよ。結衣さんも上手だよ。Sonna koto nai yo. Yui-san mo jōzu dayo.That's not true. You're skilled too, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui私はまだ全然上手じゃないです。Watashi wa mada zenzen jōzu janai desu.I am not skilled at all yet.
- 蓮 Ren練習すればもっと上手になるよ。Renshū sureba motto jōzu ni naru yo.You'll get more skilled if you practice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skilled” translations and entries 上手, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 上手, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
